Is there any differnece in what adcoms at top LACs like Amherst look for in applicants than at other top universities? what do they place the most weight on? Thanks alot
<p>Can you add Williams to that? Thanks.</p>
<p>No. There is no difference.</p>
<p>In my opinion the super selective LACs tend to take a more holistic approach to admissions than the super selective universities. Sure grades, rank and scores are important -- they are the foundation. But they won't get you into AWS and they won't keep you out. </p>
<p>Unless you're an academic superstar, you will also need very strong subjective qualities to get you into AWS. These can be expressed in your essays, recommedations, talents, EC's and hooks.</p>
<p>Remember the LACs only have 400-500 kids in a class, half male, half female. They need to admit diversity: racial, cultural, economic, religious AND extracurricular. Thus finding smart kids who can also bring something else to the campus community is imperative. Often that something else -- whether it's race, athletics, ability in the arts -- supercedes the statistical side of academics.</p>
<p>Also since the LACs have a tight sense of community they tend to look for kids who work and play well together as manifested in their recommendations and activities. In other words character and culture play a very important roll in LAC admissions.</p>